What Are We Teaching Our Children?

by Micky Galloway

Brethren, we teach on the home and the family, but we are still missing the mark with our own families. Our failure will be seen in the next generation, but it will then be too late. What will it take to cause us to wake up to our responsibilities?

Israel was commanded to teach their children (Deuteronomy 6:6ff; 20ff). They were to teach them the law of God (Deuteronomy 31:9-13), to know God and to fear him. The observance of the Passover was to be a means of reminding their children of the great works of God (Exodus 12:24ff). So also were the twelve stones that Joshua set up in Gilgal as a memorial of God parting the Jordan river that the people may enter the land of promise (Joshua 4:20ff). They were to teach their children so that they would not forget God (Deuteronomy 6:10ff). This involved talking with their children as well as teaching by their example. Yet, we read in Judges 2:10, "And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, that knew not Jehovah, nor yet the work which he had wrought for Israel."

We must also teach our children (Ephesians 6:4), "And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath; but nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord." In a world where the minds of our children are influenced by the degenerate teaching of worldly minded people, we must ask, "What are we teaching our children?"

What are we teaching our children about God? God is the creator of heaven and earth (Genesis 1:1) and as a divine creator he possesses all the attributes of deity. As the apostle Paul declared the one, true God to the Athenians (Acts 17), he declared that even though they worshiped in ignorance, God had made them to "seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us" (verse 27). The Athenians were then commanded to repent (verses 30-31), implying that they were accountable to God even though they were ignorant of God. Whatever they were doing it was displeasing to God and they needed to repent. Yes, they were under law to God or they would need no repentance (cf Romans 4:15).

Paul spoke of the goodness and severity of God (Romans 11:22). God's goodness is manifested in the sending of His Son to die for the sinner (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). His severity is also revealed by Paul when he said, "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men" (II Corinthians 5:11; cf Hebrews 10:26-31). Examples of God's righteous indignation are numerous. It is this righteous God of goodness and severity before whom we must all stand and give an account of our lives (Romans 14:11-12). Let us speak of him with honor and reverence (Psalms 111:9) that our children might learn to fear him and love him.

What are we teaching our children about Jesus as the Son of God? His coming fulfilled prophecies that were made from the beginning (Genesis 3:15; 12:1-3; etc.), revealing the eternal purpose of God in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:10). Even his conception was a miracle (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25). He came to offer salvation to a lost and dying world (Matthew 1:21; Luke 19:10; I Timothy 1:15). What do we teach our children about why Jesus died? Oh yes, he died for our sins, but why was it necessary for Jesus to die for our sins? Do we teach our children how horrible sin is to require the blood of Jesus? Do we teach them that the justice of God is seen in this sacrifice (Romans 3:23-26)? Unfortunately, all that many children hear about Jesus is when something tragic occurs and the name of Jesus is uttered as a byword.

What are we teaching our children about the Bible? It is the most wonderful and most available book in our age. Its message is from the mind of God (I Corinthians 2:10ff; cf John 13:16). It contains the words of life (John 6:66-68; cf John 12:49-50). That word was delivered to the apostles (John 17:8,14,18) and recorded by them upon the pages of the New Testament (Ephesians 3:3). This message is all sufficient (II Timothy 3:16-17) and complete (Jude 3). It is revealed in such a way that it is understandable (Ephesians 3:3; 5:17). We are commanded to read it, study it, and teach it to others (II Timothy 2:15; II Peter 3:18; I Timothy 4:13; II Timothy 2:2). Do our children see us spending time with this wonderful book? Do they hear it read and taught in our homes? Do they perceive our reverence and respect for the words of Almighty God. I will never forget the words of Sister Lena Hope (wife of brother B.G. Hope). She said that while her children were just babies she would tell them that the big old book on the table in the living room (the family Bible) was God's book. It was different from their story books. It contained the words of God. Perhaps we are just too busy to impress upon young minds the importance of understanding the words of God. Yes indeed, we ARE teaching our children about the Bible.

What are we teaching our children about their purpose in life? Ecclesiastes 12:1ff teaches that children are to "Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth." If parents are not living lives before their children emphasizing that their purpose in life is to "Fear God and keep his commandments" (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14), how can we expect children to realize this purpose for living and remember the Creator? It takes TIME to obey God's commandments. Considering that life is short and time is limited (James 4:14-16), many have so misconstrued their values that they just don't have time to visit or teach or pray or study. These are so busy "making a living" that they don't have time to make a life for themselves or their families. When we diligently lay up treasures on this earth (cf Matthew 6:19ff) and we believe that our lives consist of what we possess (cf Luke 12:15ff), be not deceived, we are teaching our children purpose in life, but it is not to "fear God and keep his commandments." Small wonder why many sons and daughters of Christians cannot find time to worship and serve God. They are worshiping and serving God, just as their parents taught them!

What are we teaching our children about respect for authority? It is no mystery that crime is at an all time high and schools have difficulty with rebellious students and yes, even churches are plagued with unauthorized practices when children are not taught respect for God's authority. Respect for authority begins in the home. Children must be taught to obey (Ephesians 6:1,4). Sometimes that involves the rod of correction (Proverbs 13:24; 19:18; 22:15; 23:13; 29:15). Please note what was to be done with a rebellious son under the law of Moses (Deuteronomy 21:18ff). Unfortunately, many are not consistent in their teaching, but operate on the principle, "Do as I say, not as I do." Our children are more perceptive than we think. They see our inconsistency and they are learning from our example.

What are we teaching our children about the church and its work? Do our children ask on the Lord's day whether or not we are going to church? My friends, this decision should have been made a long time ago (Hebrews 10:25). It should be understood if it is time to assemble with the saints, we are going! Do our children understand why we have assembled? We have not come together to play or be entertained, but to worship God (John 4:24). I have great admiration for the parents of children, who impress upon their families the distinctiveness of what the church is.

What are we teaching our children about morality? Oh, we may well teach against adultery (Matthew 5:32; Matthew 19:9) and fornication (I Corinthians 10:8), but dress our "sweet little Sally Mae" in attire that tempts every boy on the block to propose fornication (cf Proverbs 7:10). We must teach our children regarding the permanence and sanctity of marriage and the home, but we must also help them understand what it means to "flee fornication" (I Corinthians 6:18) and to "abstain from every form of evil" (I Thessalonians 5:22). There was a time when parents instructed their children that certain circumstances were to be avoided because "it just doesn't look good." We live in a time when people commit all kinds of "abomination" and are not "ashamed, neither could they blush" (Jeremiah 6:15). Let us accept soberly, the responsibility to teach our children to behave and dress modestly so that their lives will be an example of purity (I Timothy 4:12).

Israel failed to properly teach their children and the next generation did not "know Jehovah, nor yet the work which he had wrought for Israel." Therefore, they did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah. We ARE teaching our children both verbally and by our example, but WHAT are we teaching our children? Certainly, the next generation will tell.

In the words of Helen M. Young from the poem "Children Won't Wait":

"… I will not exchange this birthright for a mess of pottage called social position, or business or professional reputation, or a pay check. An hour of concern today may save years of heartache tomorrow. The house will wait, the dishes will wait, the new room can wait, but children won't wait … May I know that no other career is so precious, no other work so rewarding, no other task too urgent. May I not defer it nor neglect it, but by thy Spirit accept it gladly, joyously, and by Thy grace realize that the time is short and my time is now. For children WON'T wait."